Timothy McVeigh US Army reservist, organizer of the largest (before the events of September 11, 2001) terrorist attack in American history Date of Birth: 23.04.1968 Country: USA

1. Biography of Timothy James McVeigh
2. Early Life and Education
3. Military Service
4. The Oklahoma City Bombing
5. Arrest and Trial

Biography of Timothy James McVeigh

Timothy James McVeigh, born in 1968 in Lockport, New York, was a United States Army reservist and the organizer of the largest terrorist attack in American history prior to September 11, 2001. He was awarded the Bronze Star for his participation in the Gulf War. McVeigh served as a gunner in the 1st Infantry Division, operating a 25mm cannon on the Bradley Fighting Vehicles. Before the "Desert Storm" operation, he underwent the Primary Leadership Development Course (PLDC) at Fort Riley, Kansas.

Early Life and Education

McVeigh grew up in Pendleton, New York, and moved there with his father at the age of 10 after his parents' divorce. He was described as introverted during his school years and did not feel comfortable among his peers. Although his classmates remembered him as a cheerful boy in elementary school, he became more isolated in his later teenage years. McVeigh developed a strong interest in computers and even managed to hack into government computer systems. Despite being considered a promising programmer, his grades in school were not high.

Military Service

After leaving college at Bryant & Stratton College, McVeigh enlisted in the Army in May 1988. He was awarded the Bronze Star for his role in the Gulf War. Serving as a gunner in the 1st Infantry Division, he operated a 25mm cannon on the Bradley Fighting Vehicles. Before the "Desert Storm" operation, McVeigh attended the Primary Leadership Development Course (PLDC) at Fort Riley, Kansas. He aspired to join the U.S. Army Special Forces (SF) and even entered a training program but was eventually discharged due to insufficient physical readiness. In May 1992, McVeigh decided to leave the army and entered the reserves.

The Oklahoma City Bombing

After leaving the military, McVeigh struggled to find stability in his life and drifted between jobs. He became fixated on seeking "justice" and was particularly outraged by the actions of FBI agents during the siege of the Branch Davidian religious compound in Waco, Texas, which resulted in the deaths of 76 people, including children. McVeigh planned to retaliate and enlisted the help of Terry Nichols and Michael Fortier. Together, they devised a plan to bomb the Alfred P. Murrah Building in Oklahoma City, which was carried out on April 19, 1995. The explosion killed 168 people and injured 500 others, making it the deadliest act of terrorism in the United States until September 11, 2001.

Arrest and Trial

McVeigh was arrested one and a half hours after the bombing. After a lengthy six-year trial, he was sentenced to death. He refused to prolong the appeals process and requested to expedite his execution. Some considered McVeigh a hero, and he saw himself as a "hero" who dared to confront the government. He viewed his actions as a "liberating struggle against the American government." On June 11, 2001, McVeigh received a lethal injection consisting of three stages that rendered him unconscious, stopped his lungs from functioning, and ultimately halted the beating of his heart. Before his death, he quoted lines from the poem "Invictus" by William Ernest Henley: "I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul."